SLIGO racecourse returned to action on Sunday following an enforced absence through problematic drainage works but the fixture went off without any problem with the Galway Festival now featuring on plans for at least four of the day’s winners.

Chief among those Galway runners will be Roachdale House, who landed the Joe Henry Memorial Handicap Hurdle for Galway Hurdle winning trainer Paul Flynn.

Roachdale House’s jockey Keith Donoghue was a last-minute substitution, replacing Robbie Power who was injured in the previous race, and took the opportunity when producing the gelding to lead on the run-in, for a well-judged neck win.

Flynn’s hard-work ethic was highlighted again as Roachdale House’s win was his second in two days, his previous one coming with Jackie Ellis at Hamilton, in Scotland, in the 9.05pm race the night before.

Flynn, who trained Moon Dice to win the 2011 Galway Hurdle, revealed: “I was over there (Hamilton) and we had a quick turnaround – it was like Ryanair! Jackie Ellis’s win was great because he was my father’s (Connie) horse and he died before Christmas, so it was a good one.”

Regarding Roachdale House, he added: “it took us about four years to learn how to ride him and just wants to be dropped-in. Keith (Donoghue) was a great lad to get because he rides like that and once he was available, we put him up straightaway. He gave him a peach, is a great lad and we’ve a great strike-rate.

“He’ll go to Galway now and we actually brought him here today on purpose to see if he’d handle Galway.’’

Racing began, for the first time since last October, with the Martin Reilly BMW Maiden Hurdle, which was won by the Eamonn O’Connell-trained Father Mattie (11/2), who was winning at the 13th attempt and, in doing so, also booked his Galway ticket.

Ridden by the trainer’s son and capable 7lb claimer Eoin O’Connell, Father Mattie held off the challenge of First Class Ticket for a half-length win. Afterwards, Co Tipperary based O’Connell senior stated: “he has been running well without winning recently and is a better hurdler than flat horse. He stays galloping but the line came in time for him today!

“He likes good ground, I always thought he wanted a bit further, so we’ll see. We’ll run him in the first race at Galway on the Monday next and will go back to the flat at some stage too.”

The winning a four-man TMO Syndicate is headed by owner/breeder Tom Molan.

Jockey Sean Flanagan met contrasting fortune on the seven-race card and although he rode a winner, on the Liz Doyle trained La Bella Vida (8/1, in the colours of Pat and Sheila Martin) in the I.S.F. EBF (Mares) Rated Novice Hurdle, he also suffered a fractured rib in the fifth race as his mount, Oh’herewego, ran out at the fourth flight.

Flanagan, who partnered his first treble at Cork on Friday, had earlier received strong praise from trainer Liz Doyle after steering La Bella Vida to her own second career win.

Wexford-based Doyle said: “This race suited her and she got a beautiful ride. She got a little bit flat to the boards early but I knew when the hill kicked in, she’d come on the bridle. It was a nice opportunity – two-mile mares’ hurdle and she ticked all the right boxes for it. She’ll probably go to Galway now for the mares’ two-mile handicap hurdle if he (the handicapper) isn’t too hard on her.

“I had been hitting the cross-bar recently and second and thirds aren’t any good. I was up at 5.45am this morning, feeding and what-not, so that’s all a bit of a blur! It took four and a half hours to get here but it’s all worth it as long as we take some prize-money home.”

The other non-handicap hurdle on the card, the Taylor Construction Civil Works Maiden Hurdle, saw a surprise as the J.P. McManus owned Boherbuoy (12/1) won on his jumps debut for jockey Mark Enright and current trainer Niall Madden.

The ex-David Wachman trained gelding arrived into strong contention and in the end stayed on nicely to beat 9/4f Canny Tom by four and a quarter lengths.

Madden, who sold the half-hour earlier beaten even-money favourite Tay Lane following her win at Tipperary on May 25th, later commented: “it was great to be asked to train the horse (Boherbuoy) and he’s a nice horse. He had a good flat rating and it all depended on whether he was going to produce it over hurdles. He could be a nice horse and he should win more races and could go back on the flat too.”

Trainer Brian McMahon, who has strong links to the area, recorded his second winner at the Connaught venue as his Se Mo Loach (for owners (Coalbrook Racing Syndicate) landed the Durkin Bros. Electrical Handicap Hurdle under jockey Philip Enright.

Enright moved the son of Golden Tornado into contention from the second last flight and the pair scored a ready five and a half-length win.

Three-horse trainer McMahon, formerly based at nearby Culleenamore beach, added: “I’m training out of Noel Glynn’s yard now (in Spancil Hill, Co Clare) and have three horses in training: Seskinane, Powersbomb, and this lad. In fairness, the three of them have now won in the last two months and we will go to Galway with Powersbomb (a winner last week) and maybe Seskinane.

“He had taken a bit of time to come to hand as he is a bit soft and is only starting to become more of a man now with racing. It wasn’t the strongest of races but hopefully he can win another, although I’ve no big plans.”

The Nigel Slevin-trained Royal Zorro caused a 25/1 upset when winning the concluding Foley’s Bar & Off Licence INH Bumper and, in the process, booked a ticket for the Galway Festival later this month.

Ridden by capable amateur jockey Danny Benson, the son Atlantic Waves raced prominently throughout and went clear in the home straight before scoring a six and a half-length win over Blunder Bliss.

Afterwards, Co Meath-based Slevin stated: “he had a good run in a maiden hurdle the last day and it was an improvement on his first run. He is very green and is a big baby and has taken us forever to get this far but hopefully he’ll go on from here and do something.

“He hit a flat-spot through greeness but stayed on up the hill. We didn’t think beyond today but we’ll go to Galway now – shur why not!”

The three winning owners – Martin/Gavigan/Fox – are each from Co Meath.

Most valuable event on the card was the Kilcawley Construction Opportunity Handicap Hurdle, which saw Eight Till Late score a sixth win.

The son of Desert King was also a winner over fences at Clonmel for jockey Andrew Ring, on his previous start in June, and the pair scored by a comfortable four lengths.

Francis Casey, representing his father, later commented: “he’s a nine-year-old but is improving and is settling better in his races now and is getting home better. It was a good performance and he is on a nice mark over fences too.”

Jockey Injuries

ROBBIE Power suffered a heavy first-flight fall from Jacobs Well in the third race and, afterwards, Turf Club medical officer Dr Adrian McGoldrick said: “Robbie has suffered soft tissue damage to his face and also has some dental injuries. He was eventually able to walk to the ambulance room unaided and has gone to Sligo Hospital for more check-ups. He will be out of action for at least six days.” Power expects to be back for Galway.

Sean Flanagan fractured a left rib following a fall from Oh’herewegow, who ran out at the fourth flight in the fifth race, but was okay to resume riding in Killarney.